Lodging Giver’s Mansion

In those days, the Buddha was living in the city of Benares, in the deer park, at Isipatana forest. Then the lay follower Dhammadinna, together with five hundred lay followers, went to the Buddha, bowed respectfully, sat down to one side, and said to him,

“May the Buddha please advise and instruct us. It will be for our lasting welfare and happiness.”

“Dhammadinna, you should train like this, ‘From time to time we will learn and practice the discourses taught by the Buddha that are deep, profound, transcendent and deals with emptiness.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.”

“Bhante, we live at home with our children, using sandalwood imported from Kāsi, wearing garlands, perfumes, and makeup, and accepting gold and money. It’s not easy for us to learn and practice the discourses from time to time taught by the Buddha that are deep, profound, transcendent and deals with emptiness. However, we keep the five precepts well. Bhante, please teach us a simple Dhamma lesson to be developed based on the practice of the five precepts.”

“Then, Dhammadinna, you should train like this, ‘We will have unshakable confidence in the Buddha… the Dhamma… the Saṅgha… and we will have the virtue loved by the noble ones… leading to concentration.’ That’s how you should train yourselves.”

“Bhante, these four factors of stream-entry that were taught by the Buddha are found in us. We have unshakable confidence in the Buddha… the Dhamma… the Saṅgha… and we have the virtue loved by the noble ones… leading to concentration.”

“You’re fortunate, Dhammadinna, you are very fortunate! You have all declared that you have attained the fruit of stream-entry.”

Those days, several monks were repairing the Buddha’s robe, thinking that when his robe was repaired and the three months of the rain retreat had passed, the Buddha would set out traveling from city to city. Now, at that time, the carpenters Isidatta and Purāṇa were staying in the city of Sādhuka on some business. They heard about this.

So they posted someone on the road, saying, “Friend, let us know when you see the Blessed One coming, the Liberated One, the fully enlightened Buddha.” After three days, he saw the Buddha coming off in the distance. When he saw the Buddha, he went to the carpenters and said,

“Sirs, the Blessed One, the Liberated One, the fully enlightened Buddha is coming. Please come at your convenience.”

Then the carpenters went up to the Buddha, bowed respectfully, and followed behind him. Then the Buddha left the road, went to the root of a tree, and sat down on the seat spread out. The carpenters Isidatta and Purāṇa bowed respectfully, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha,

“Bhante, when we hear that you will be leaving the city of Sāvatthī to wander in the Kosalan lands, we become sad and upset, thinking that you will be far from us. And when we hear that you have left the city of Sāvatthī and arrived in the Kosalan lands, we become sad and upset, thinking that you are far from us.

“And when we hear that you will be leaving the Kosalan lands to wander in the Mallian lands, we become sad and upset, thinking that you will be far from us. And when we hear that you have left the Kosalan lands and arrived in the Mallian lands, we become sad and upset, thinking that you are far from us.

“And when we hear that you will be leaving the Mallian lands to wander in the Vajjian lands… in the Kāsian lands… in the Māgadhan lands… And when we hear that you have left the Kāsian lands and arrived in the Māgadhan lands, we become sad and upset, thinking that you are far from us.

“However Bhante, when we hear that you will be leaving the Māgadhan lands to wander in the Kāsian lands, we become happy and joyful, thinking that you will be near to us. And when we hear that you have left the Māgadhan lands and arrived in the Kāsian lands… in the Vajjian lands… in the Mallian lands… in the Kosalan lands… you will be leaving the Kosalan lands to wander in the city of Sāvatthī, we become happy and joyful, thinking that you will be near to us.

“And when we hear that you are living in the city of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery there is no greater happiness and joy, thinking that you are near to us.”

“Well then, carpenters, the home-life is not easy and that lifestyle leads to more defilements, but the monk-life is so peaceful and leads to detachment. Therefore, you must practice the Dhamma diligently.”

“Bhante, there is something that’s even more difficult than the home-life for us.”

“What is that?”

“Bhante, it’s when King Pasenadi wants to go and visit a park. We have to harness and prepare his royal elephants. Then we have to seat his dear and beloved wives on the elephants, one in front of us, and one behind. Those sisters smell like a freshly opened perfume box; that’s how the royal ladies smell with makeup on. The touch of those sisters is like a tuft of cotton-wool or padding; that’s how smooth the royal ladies are. Now at that time we must look after the elephants, the royal ladies, and ourselves. But, Bhante, we don’t recall having a lustful thought regarding those royal ladies. The effort needed to prevent the rising of lustful thoughts at that moment is more difficult than the home-life.”

“Well then, carpenters, the home-life is not easy and that lifestyle leads to more defilements, but the monk-life is so peaceful and leads to detachment. Therefore, you must practise the Dhamma diligently.

“A noble disciple who has four factors is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in the miserable worlds, headed for Nibbāna.

“What four? A noble disciple has unshakable confidence in the Buddha… the Dhamma… the Saṅgha… He lives at home, rid of the stain of stinginess, ready to give, open-handed, with desire to give, committed to charity, loves to give and share. A noble disciple who has these four factors is a stream-enterer, not liable to be reborn in miserable worlds and is headed for Nibbāna.

“And carpenters, you have unshakable confidence in the Buddha… the Dhamma… the Saṅgha… And whatever you have available in your family, you share it all with those who are virtuous and of good character.

“What do you think, carpenters? How many people among the Kosalans are your equals when it comes to giving and sharing?”

“We’re fortunate, Bhante, so very fortunate, in that the Buddha understands us like this.”

This is as I heard. At one time, the Buddha was traveling in the province of the Kosalans together with a large group of monks. There, he arrived at a village of the Kosalan brahmins named Veluddvāra.

The people of in that village heard, “The monk Gotama is a member of the Sakyan clan, and he has become a monk leaving the Sakyan family. Today, he has arrived at our village, together with a large group of monks. He has this good reputation about him, ‘That Blessed One is liberated, self-enlightened, has true knowledge and pure conduct, attained Nibbāna, knower of worlds, supreme trainer of beings, teacher of gods and humans, the most generous and the most fortunate.’ He has realized this world with his own insight—with its gods, Māras and Brahmās, with its ascetics, priests, gods and humans—and he makes it known to others. He teaches Dhamma that’s excellent in the beginning, excellent in the middle, and excellent in the end. It is meaningful and well phrased and he teaches the clear and pure path leading to the end suffering, Nibbāna. It’s good to see such Enlightened Ones.”

Then those people went up to the Buddha. Some bowed respectfully, some exchanged greetings and polite conversation, some held up their joined palms toward the Buddha, some announced their name and clan, while some kept silent. Then sitting down to one side, they said to the Buddha,

“Master Gotama, these are our wishes, desires, and hopes. We wish to live at home with our children; to use sandalwood imported from the Kāsi province; to wear garlands, perfumes, and makeup; and to accept gold and money. And after death, we wish to be reborn in a happy world, in heaven. Given that we have such wishes, may the Buddha teach us the Dhamma so that we may go to heaven after death.”

The Buddha said, “I will teach you a Dhamma lesson that should be applied to oneself. Listen and pay close attention, I will speak.”

“Yes, Bhante,” they replied.

“And what is that Dhamma lesson that should be applied to oneself?

“A noble disciple reflects this way, ‘I want to live and don’t want to die; I want to be happy and I dislike pain. Since this is so, if someone were to take my life, I wouldn’t like that. But others also want to live and don’t want to die; they want to be happy and dislike pain. So if I were to take the life of someone else, he wouldn’t like that either. The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I give that pain to someone else?’ Reflecting this way, first, he gives up killing beings. Second, he encourages others to abstain from killing beings, and third, he praises the act of abstaining from killing beings. So, his bodily behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to steal from me, I wouldn’t like that. If I were to steal from someone else, he wouldn’t like that either. The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I give that pain to someone else?’ Reflecting this way, first, he gives up stealing. Second, he encourages others to give up stealing, and third, he praises the act of giving up stealing. So, his bodily behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to have sexual relations with my wife, I wouldn’t like it. If I were to have sexual relations with someone else’s wife, he wouldn’t like that either. The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I give that pain to someone else?’ Reflecting this way, first, he gives up sexual misconduct. Second, he encourages others to give up sexual misconduct, and third, he praises the act of abstaining from sexual misconduct. So, his bodily behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to harm me by lying, I wouldn’t like it. If I were to harm someone else by lying, he wouldn’t like it either. The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I give that pain to someone else?’ Reflecting this way, first, he gives up lying. Second, he encourages others to give up lying, and third, he praises the act of giving up lying. So, his verbal behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to split me up from my friends using divisive speech, I wouldn’t like it. But if I were to split someone else from their friends using divisive speech, he wouldn’t like it either.…’ So, his verbal behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to insult me with harsh speech, I wouldn’t like it. But if I were to insult someone else with harsh speech, he wouldn’t like it either.…’ So, his verbal behaviour is purified in three ways.

“Furthermore, a noble disciple reflects this way, ‘If someone were to waste my time by idle chatter, I wouldn’t like it. But if I were to waste someone else’s time by idle chatter, he wouldn’t like it either.’ The thing that is disliked by me is also disliked by others. Since I dislike this thing, how can I give that pain to someone else?’ Reflecting this way, first, he gives up idle chatter. Second, he encourages others to give up idle chatter, and third, he praises the act of giving up idle chatter. So, his verbal behaviour is purified in three ways.

“He also has unshakable confidence in the Buddha… the Dhamma… the Saṅgha… And he has virtue loved by the noble ones… leading to concentration. When a noble disciple has these seven good qualities1 and these four factors, he may, if he wishes, declare of himself: ‘I’ve finished with rebirth in hell, the animal world, and the ghost world. I’ve finished with all miserable worlds. I am a stream-enterer! I’m not liable to be reborn in the miserable worlds, and I am heading towards Nibbāna.’”

When the Buddha taught the Dhamma like this, the people of Veluddvāra village said to the Buddha, “Excellent, Master Gotama!… We go for refuge to Master Gotama, to the Dhamma, and to the Saṅgha. From this day on, may Master Gotama remember us as lay followers who have gone for refuge to the Triple Gem as long as we live.”

This is as I heard from the Blessed One. Those days, The Blessed One was living in the province of Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Park, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. At that time, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna was living in the country of Avantī, on Pavatta Mountain, near the city of Kuraraghara. Those days, the lay follower Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa was Venerable Mahā Kaccāna’s supporter. One day, Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa was alone in meditation, this thought came to his mind, “According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?”

He went to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna and, having worshiped Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, “Just now, Bhante, as I was alone in meditation, this thought came to my mind: ‘According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?’ Please make me a monk, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna!”

Then, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna said to Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa, “It’s hard, Soṇa, the life-long, one-meal-a-day, celibate, monk life. Please, practice the Dhamma at home alone, during suitable times (Uposatha days), take one-meal-a-day and practice the celibate life.” After, Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa’s idea of becoming a monk subsided.

A second time as Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa was alone in meditation, this thought came to his mind, “According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?”

He went to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna and, having worshiped Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, “Just now, Bhante, as I was alone in meditation, this thought came to my mind: ‘According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?’ Please make me a monk, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna!”

When this was said, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna said to Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa, “It’s hard, Soṇa, the life-long, one-meal-a-day, celibate, monk life. Please, practice the Dhamma at home alone, during suitable times1, take one-meal-a-day and practice the celibate life.” After, Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa’s idea of becoming a monk subsided a second time.

Then a third time as Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa was alone in meditation, this thought came to his mind, “According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?”

He went to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna and, having worshiped Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, “Just now, Bhante, as I was alone in meditation, this thought came to my mind: ‘According to the Dhamma that Venerable Mahā Kaccāna teaches, it’s not easy to practice the Dhamma, perfectly, purely, like a polished shell, at home. What if I were to shave off my hair and beard, put on dyed robes, and become a monk?’ Please make me a monk, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna!”

Then, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna made Soṇa Koṭikaṇṇa a monk.

Those days, the southern country of Avantī was short of monks. After three years, having gathered ten monks with hardship and difficulty, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna give high ordination to Venerable Soṇa. Then, after having completed the Rains retreat, as he was alone in meditation, this thought came to Venerable Soṇa’s mind: “I haven’t seen the Blessed One in person. I’ve simply heard that he is like this and like that. If my teacher would give me permission, I would go to see the Blessed One.”

Leaving meditation in the late afternoon, he went to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna and, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, “Just now, Bhante, as I was alone in meditation, this thought came to my mind: ‘I haven’t seen the Blessed One in person. I’ve simply heard that he is like this and like that. If my teacher would give me permission, I would go to see the Blessed One.’”

“Good, Soṇa. Very good. Go, Soṇa, to see the Blessed One. You will see the Blessed One who is serene and gives calmness, his senses at peace, his mind at peace, one who is perfectly tamed, guarded, his senses restrained, a Great One2. Seeing him, worship him with your head to his feet and in my name, ask whether he is free from illness and sickness, strong and living in comfort, while saying ‘My teacher, Bhante, worships you with his head to your feet and asks whether you are free from illness and sickness, strong and living in comfort.’”

Saying, “As you say, Bhante,” Venerable Soṇa happily accepted Venerable Mahā Kaccāna’s words, got up from his seat, bowed down to Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, circled him to the right, set his lodging in order, and taking his bowl and double-layered robes, set off toward Sāvatthī. He arrived at Sāvatthī and went to Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery, in Jeta’s Park. He went to the Blessed One and, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there, he said to the Blessed One, “Bhante, my teacher, Venerable Mahā Kaccāna, shows reverence with his head to the Blessed One’s feet and asks whether you are free from illness and sickness, strong and living in comfort.”

“Monk, are you well? Are you in good health? Have you come without difficulty? Are you not tired of alms-food?”

“I am well, Bhante. I am in good health, Bhante. I have come without difficulty, Bhante, without being too tired and I am not tired of alms-food.”

Then the Blessed One addressed Venerable Ānanda, saying, “Ānanda, prepare a lodging for this visiting monk.”

Then this thought occurred to Venerable Ānanda, “When the Blessed One tells me, ‘Ānanda, prepare a lodging for this visiting monk,’ he wants to stay in the same lodging with that monk. The Blessed One wants to stay in the same lodging with Venerable Soṇa.” He prepared a bed in the lodging that the Blessed One was staying in for Venerable Soṇa. Then the Blessed One, having spent much of the night outside, washed his feet and entered the lodging. Likewise, Venerable Soṇa, having spent much of the night outside, washed his feet and entered the lodging. Then, getting up toward the end of the night, the Blessed One invited Venerable Soṇa, saying, “Monk, I would like you to recite the Dhamma.”

Responding, “Yes, Bhante,” to the Blessed One, Venerable Soṇa chanted all sixteen parts of the Aṭṭhaka Vagga3 beautifully. The Blessed One, at the end of Venerable Soṇa’s recitation, rejoiced saying, “Good, monk. Very good. You have learned the Aṭṭhaka Vagga well, have wisely considered them, and have kept their meaning in your mind. The words you said are incredibly good. You said them clear and faultless, making the meaning arise. How many rains retreats4 do you have?”

“I have one, Bhante.”

“But why did you take so long to become a monk?”

“For a long time, Bhante, I have seen faults in sense pleasures, but the household life has many troubles, responsibilities, and many things to do. That is why I took so long to become a monk.”

Then, on realizing the bliss of Nibbāna, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:

“Having seen the drawbacks of worldly things,
having understood Nibbāna as the only peace,
the noble one does not delight in evil.
A pure person never delights in evil.”

This is as I heard from the Blessed One. At one time the Blessed One was staying in the province of Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s park, at Anathapindika’s monastery.

One day, a certain lay follower from Icchānangala village, arrived in the province of Sāvatthī on some business affairs. Having settled his affairs, he approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him and sat down to one side. As he was sitting there, the Blessed One asked him, “Dear lay follower, you have finally come after a long time?”

The man replied, “Bhante, for a long time, I have wanted to come and see the Blessed One, but being involved with various affairs of business, I have not been able to do so.”

Then, on realizing the peace of a simple life, the Blessed One spoke the following inspired verse:

“The liberated monk who is well versed in the Dhamma doesn’t experience any stress. He experiences only bliss. See how people with defilements suffer due to their defilements. Ordinary people are in the nature of being bound to other people.”

This is as I heard from the Blessed One. Those days the Blessed One was living in the province of Sāvatthī, at the Eastern Monastery, called the Palace of Migāra’s mother. On that occasion, Visākhā, Migāra’s mother, had some dealings with King Pasenadi of Kosala that he did not settle as she had wished. So in the middle of the day she went to the Blessed One and having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As she was sitting there the Blessed One asked her, “Visākhā, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?”

“Just now, Bhante, I had some dealings with King Pasenadi of Kosala that he did not settle as I had wished.”

Then, on realizing the pain of ordinary life, the Blessed One spoke the following inspired verses:

“Whatever is under others’ control, all that, is painful. All noble achievements are joy. Everybody who seeks fairness is stressed. It is extremely hard to be liberated from ordinary ties.”

In those days, the Buddha was living in the Kingdom of the Sakyans, in the city of Kapilavatthu, at the Nigrodha Monastery. One day, Mahānāma the Sakyan went to the Buddha, bowed respectfully, sat down to one side, and asked him, “Bhante, how is a lay follower defined?”

“Mahānāma, when someone has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha, he’s considered to be a lay follower.”

“Bhante, how is a virtuous lay follower defined?”

“Mahānāma, when a lay follower doesn’t kill beings, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume alcoholic drinks and drugs that cause negligence, he’s considered to be a virtuous lay follower.”

“Bhante, how is a faithful lay follower defined?”

“Mahānāma, it’s when a lay follower has faith in the Buddha: ‘That Blessed One is liberated, self enlightened, has true knowledge and pure conduct, attained Nibbāna, knower of the world, supreme trainer of beings, teacher of gods and humans, the most generous, the most fortunate.’ Then he’s considered to be a faithful lay follower.”

“Bhante, how is a generous lay follower defined?”

“Mahānāma, it’s when a lay follower lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, ready to give, open-handed, with desire to give, committed to charity, loves to give and share. Then he’s considered to be a generous lay follower.”

“Bhante, how is a wise lay follower defined?”

“Mahānāma, it’s when a lay follower is wise. He has the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering. Then he’s considered to be a wise lay follower.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who went for refuge in the Triple Gem, the first were the merchants Tapussa and Bhallika.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who are donors, the foremost is the householder Sudatta Anāthapiṇḍika.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who teach the Dhamma well, the foremost is the householder Citta Macchikāsaṇḍika.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who support others by the four ways of making good friends, the foremost is Hatthaka Āḷavaka.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who donate delicious things, the foremost is Mahānāma Sakka.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who donate desirable things, the foremost is the householder Ugga of Vesālī.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who attend on the Saṅgha, the foremost is the householder Uggata of Hatthi Village.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who have unshakable confidence, the foremost is Sūrambaṭṭha.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who are agreeable to others, the foremost is Jīvaka Komārabhacca.”

“Monks, among my male lay disciples who are trustworthy, the foremost is the householder Nakula’s father.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who went for refuge in the Triple Gem, the first was Sujātā Seniyadhītā.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who are donors, the foremost is Visākhā, Migāra’s mother.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who are very learned, the foremost is Khujjuttarā.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who live with loving kindness, the foremost is Sāmāvatī.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who practice jhānas, the foremost is Uttarānandamātā.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who give delicious things, the foremost is Suppavāsā Koliyadhītā.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who care for the sick monks, the foremost is the laywoman Suppiyā.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who have unshakable confidence, the foremost is Kātiyānī.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples who are trustworthy, the foremost is the householder Nakula’s mother.”

“Monks, among my female lay disciples whose confidence is based on listening to Dhamma, the foremost is the laywoman Kāḷī of Kuraraghara.”

“Monks, a resident monk with five qualities shows compassion to the lay people. What five?

1. They encourage them in higher ethics.
2. They equip them to see the truth of the teachings.
3. When they are sick, they go to them and prompt their mindfulness, saying: ‘Establish your mindfulness, good sirs, in what is worthy.’
4. When a large monk Saṅgha is arriving with monks from abroad, they go to the lay people and announce: ‘A large monk Saṅgha is arriving with monks from abroad. Make merit! Now is the time to make merit!’
5. And they eat whatever food they give them, coarse or fine, not wasting a gift given in faith.

A resident monk with these five qualities shows compassion to the lay people.”

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, you are in this Cittalata Park surrounded by many goddesses as if you were the god Sakka. Your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world my house was located in a fishing village. Some of the Supreme Buddha’a monks visited that area for almsround. With a happy mind, I offered rice, honey-covered cake, vegetables, and rice-gruel to those virtuous monks who were dedicated to Dhamma practice.

I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.

I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was a lay follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha, the one who had the great wisdom to see the reality of the world. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths.

Because of my virtuous life and meritorious deeds, I live happily here. I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.

Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.

Please Bhante, pay homage on my behalf by placing your head on the Blessed One’s feet and saying, “Bhante, the lay follower named Lakhuma pays homage by placing her head on the Blessed One’s feet.” The Blessed One stated that I have attained a certain fruit of enlightenment. I too know that.

Bhante, the Supreme Buddha declared that I have attained the fruit of once returner.

Supreme Buddha:

Devata, around your mansion there are very beautiful mandarava trees and they are covered with blue, yellow, black, crimson, and red flower filaments. You are wearing a garland of mandarava flowers on your head. This beautiful type of tree is not found in any other heaven.

Famous devata, what meritorious deed did you do to be reborn in the Tavatimsa Heaven?

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Kimbila. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Bhadditthi. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps.

I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.

I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.

The compassionate sages, Arahant Sariputta and Arahant Moggallana, are the two chief disciples of the Supreme Buddha. One day I offered alms to them and collected lots of merit from that offering. I also observed the Eight Precepts four times a month frequently. As a result, when I left the human world, I was reborn in this heaven. Now I enjoy divine pleasures in the heavenly Nandana Park. My beauty radiates in all directions.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What meritorious deeds have you have done to gain this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Nalanda. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Sonadinna. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps to them.

I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.

I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.

Because of those meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.

Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Saketa. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Uposatha. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered them robes, food, shelter, and lamps.

I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.

I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.

Because of those meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.

Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.

When I was in the human world, I often heard stories about the heavenly Nandana Park. I had a desire to be born there. As a result of directing my mind to that park, I have been born here in this Tavatimsa Heaven.

My great teacher, the Supreme Buddha, who was born in the Clan of the Sun, frequently advised his disciples to achieve the highest stage of enlightenment they can. But I did not follow my great teacher’s advice. Since I directed my mind to this inferior sensual realm, I was born in this heaven. I could have developed my mind further. Now I am sad and regret my decision.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, how long will you live in this mansion? Can you tell me your lifespan?

Devata:

Bhante, My lifespan here is three hundred million and sixty thousand years. After I pass away from here I will be reborn in the human world.

Moggallana Bhante:

Why fear, Uposatha? The Supreme Buddha has already stated that you have attained the fruit of stream entry. You will never again be born in a bad world.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious actions did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world there is a city called Rajagaha. There I was a female lay follower of the Supreme Buddha. My name was Saddha. I had unshakable faith in the Triple Gem. I practiced the precepts and delighted in giving and sharing. Furthermore, I had confidence in noble monks who had pure minds. I offered robes, food, shelter, and lamps to them.

I was eager to observe the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases. I led a restrained life and was very generous.

I abstained from killing, stealing, lying, and taking intoxicants. I did not cheat on my husband. I was delighted to keep these Five Precepts every day. I was wise enough to realize the Four Noble Truths. That is how I became a dedicated follower of Gautama Supreme Buddha.

Because of these meritorious deeds, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.

Great Bhante, those were the meritorious deeds I did to have such a beautiful body that shines in all directions.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, you are sitting on a very comfortable couch decorated with many jewels and gold and covered with flowers. While resting here you demonstrate your wide range of psychic powers.

You are surrounded by many other goddesses who are singing, dancing and entertaining you. You are very powerful. What good deed did you do in your previous human life? What is the reason that you are very beautiful and shine in all directions?

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world I was a daughter-in-law in a very wealthy family. I never got angry at my husband and was very obedient to him. I was dedicated to practicing the Dhamma and observed the Eight Precepts happily four times a month on each of the four moon phases.

From a very young age, I was an honest wife. I tried to please my husband by day and by night. I started following the precepts when I was very young.

I abstained from killing beings, stealing, using intoxicants, and lying. My bodily conduct was very pure. I protected my celibate life well. I practiced virtue in an unbreakable way.

I observed the Eight Precepts four times a month on each of the four moon phases and protected them happily. Observance of the Eight Precepts four times a month brings great happiness to the mind.

I followed the Noble Eightfold Path which brings happy results. I was also obedient to my husband and acted in a pleasing way. I was a disciple of the Supreme Buddha from an early age.

These were the meritorious deeds I did when I lived in the human world. These specific deeds led me to a rebirth in heaven. Now I am very powerful here. This delightful mansion is very beautiful. Many beautiful goddesses entertain me. I have been born in an excellent heaven where gods have long lifespans.

The famous god Sakka and the god Vessavana have beautiful daughters named Lata, Sajja, Pavara, Acchimukhi, and Suta. They shine due to their good qualities.

One day, these five daughters went to a magnificent river near the Himalayan Mountains to bathe. The water of the river was very cool and full of blue lotuses. These goddesses bathed in that river and sang and danced.

Goddess Suta:

Dear Lata, your skin is the color of gold, you are wearing lotus garlands decorated with golden flowers, and you have beautiful copper colored eyes. You are as beautiful as the clear sky. You will also live here for a very long time.

Please tell us, dear Lata, what kind of meritorious actions did you do in your past life to get all these wonderful things?

Fortunate sister, how were you so pleasing to your husband? Your beauty is magnificent. You are a very talented dancer and singer. Many gods and goddesses are eager to know your past meritorious deeds.

Goddess Lata:

In my previous life, I lived in the human world. I was a daughter-in-law in a very rich family. I was very obedient to my husband and never got angry at him. I was dedicated in observing the Eight Precepts. I was an honest and virtuous wife from a young age. I always made my husband happy and I tried my best to help my parents-in-law, my brother-in-law, and the servants. That is how I collected merit.

Due to those wholesome actions, I have received great divine long life, beauty, happiness, and strength. I live very happily enjoying divine entertainment.

Goddess Suta:

Sisters, haven’t you heard about these meritorious deeds that Lata described? She explained it to us very well. Being virtuous wives we certainly know the value of husbands. We treated our husbands like gods. Since we respected our husbands, we were able to be loyal wives to them as Lata did. Those were the meritorious lives we lived which led us to this heaven.

A brave lion that lives in a mountain forest hunts weak animals and eats their flesh. So too, if a wife leads a virtuous life as a devoted disciple of the Buddha, is loyal to her husband, and controls her anger and greed, then such a wife enjoys a heavenly rebirth.

Supreme Buddha:

Lady, I am Gautama Supreme Buddha standing before you out of compassion. I am the seventh Buddha who has appeared in the last hundred eons. Worship the feet of the famous Buddha. I am an Arahant and I am not shaken by the ups and downs of life. Let your mind be confident in me. Worship me immediately because you have little time to live.

In this way, the Supreme Buddha, with a developed mind and in his final body, encouraged the low-caste woman to collect merit. Having understood the words of the famous Gautama Buddha, she worshiped his sacred feet.

This world is covered with the darkness of ignorance. It is illuminated only by the true sunlight called the Four Noble Truths. She worshipped that Supreme Buddha who gives true light to the world.

Worshiping by putting her hands together, the woman gazed at the Buddha as he walked away. Soon after that, a cow attacked her and she died instantly.

Devata:

Oh Pure One, Arahant, Great Hero, the Supreme Buddha who meditates alone in the forest. I was born in heaven. Now I have come here to worship you.

Supreme Buddha:

Devata, you shine like gold and are surrounded by many goddesses. Having climbed down from your mansion, you worship me. Who are you?

Devata:

Bhante, I was a low-caste woman in the human world. Great Hero, Gautama Buddha, you encouraged me to collect merit. I worshiped your sacred feet. After my death, I was born in a divine mansion in Nandana Park.

This mansion is extremely beautiful. I have one hundred thousand goddesses as my attendants. I surpass all of them in beauty, fame, and long life. Bhante, I did lots of good deeds with mindfulness and full awareness. Now I have come here to worship you, the compassionate Supreme Buddha.

The devata was very grateful. She recalled the Supreme Buddha’s compassionate help. Having explained how she went to heaven, she worshiped the sacred feet of the Supreme Buddha and disappeared.

Anuruddha Bhante:

Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

When you dance, beautiful divine sounds and fragrance come from your limbs. As you dance and as your hair blows, the bells in your hair play lovely music. Also, as wind blows on the garland-crown on your head it plays sweet music. Your garland-crown looks and smells beautiful like a manjusaka tree full of fragrant flowers.

Do you smell these scents? Have you seen your beauty? We now ask you, what kind of meritorious actions did you do to have gained these results?

Devata:

Bhante, in the human world I had a friend who lived in the city of Savatthi. She built a great monastery for the community of monks. I was extremely happy about that. I sincerely rejoiced in her gift and the merit that she gained. The sight of that monastery was pleasing to my eyes.

As a result of truly rejoicing in my friend’s meritorious deed, this wonderful divine mansion has appeared for me.

Due to the power of my meritorious deed, this divine mansion spreads for sixteen kilometers into the sky and shines brightly in all directions. In my mansion, there are huge rooms divided into sections.

There are lotus ponds filled with heavenly fish. The water in the pond is clear, filled with many kinds of lotuses that give off a sweet smell when the wind blows. The banks of the pond are covered with golden sand.

Inside my mansion grow all sorts of trees: rose-apples, jackfruits, palms and coconuts. I am surrounded by beautiful music and the sound of many goddesses. Even if someone sees me only in a dream they will be happy.

A mansion like mine, excellent, beautiful and gleaming, has been created for me because of my meritorious deeds. This is why we should do good actions.

Anuruddha Bhante:

Since you rejoiced in your friend’s excellent gift, you have received this beautiful mansion. Tell me what happened to your friend. Where was she reborn?

Devata:

That friend of mine offered that large monastery for the Noble Sangha. She understood the Four Noble Truths clearly and made offerings with that understanding. She was reborn in the Nimmanarati Heaven. She is now the chief queen of Sunimmita, king of that heaven. I can’t even imagine the sensual pleasures she is now enjoying because of her gift. You asked me where she was reborn, and I told you as it is.

After hearing about the results of this gift, tell others to happily give gifts to the Noble Sangha and listen to the Dhamma with minds of faith. To be born as a human is very rare, and now you have this chance.

The Supreme Buddha, with golden skin and a sweet voice, taught us this excellent way: happily give gifts to the Noble Sangha, where gifts give the best results.

The Noble Sangha has eight kinds of people grouped in four pairs. These disciples of the Buddha are worthy of gifts. Gifts given to them will be of great fruit: Stream-Enterer, Once-Returner, Non-Returner, Arahant, and the other four who are on the path to these states. The Noble Sangha is true to their purpose with concentration, wisdom, and morality.

Human beings give alms wanting to make merit. The merit they gain when giving to the Noble Sangha will bear fruitful results in their future lives.

The Noble Sangha is full of goodness and has become great. It is impossible to measure its greatness, just as it is impossible to measure the water in the ocean. Followers of the Great Hero, the Supreme Buddha, are the best kind of people, bringing light wherever they preach the Dhamma.

Those who give gifts such as food, shelter, medicine, and clothing to the whole Noble Sangha, have given their gifts correctly, have made their offerings correctly, and have made their sacrifice correctly. Those gifts are very beneficial and are praised by the Supreme Buddha, the Knower of the World.

People should always recollect the gifts they have given to the Noble Sangha. This will bring them happiness. They should completely remove the stain of stinginess. Then they can be born in heaven and be praised by the wise.

Moggallana Bhante:

Devata, your beauty shines in all directions like the bright star named Osadhi.

What are the meritorious deeds that led to this happiness?

Tell me Devata, what kind of meritorious action did you do when you were in the human world to have gained this beauty that shines in all directions, and to have earned all these wonderful things?

That devata, delighted at being questioned by Arahant Moggallana, gladly explained what she had done that resulted in such great happiness.

Devata:

Previously, I was a woman in the human world. I saw many virtuous monks and worshiped their feet with a very happy mind. I worshiped and honored them by putting my hands together.

Because of this meritorious deed, I have been born as a very beautiful devata and enjoy all the wonderful things that delight my heart.

That is why the pure radiance of my body and limbs is stainless and shines in all directions.

Great Bhante, that is the meritorious action I did to have such a beautiful body.